Thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s summer associate event contest. Many of you nominated events, and almost 1,500 of you voted in the reader poll to crown this year’s winner.
We had five fantastic finalists, coming from five leading law firms: Latham & Watkins, Quinn Emanuel, Ropes & Gray, Schulte Roth & Zabel, and Weil Gotshal & Manges. They covered a wide range of activities, from karting to karaoke and from hiking to Heat-watching (the Miami Heat, that is).
Which Biglaw firm took home the big prize?
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Before we announce the winner, here’s a brief dissenting opinion. Not everyone was impressed by the offerings. Carped a commenter:
Seriously. A basketball game is the best you can do?
Go carts? A multi-day hike with people you have no interest in spending time with? A multi-day training and karaoke event with people you have no interest in spending time with? And a mediocre story about the Apollo Theater that was already an article to round out the contest?
Man, the champagne era is spinning in its grave.
Well, it is 2012. Law firms are showing more restraint in their recruiting-related spending. And it could also be the case that readers are holding out on us. If you’re aware of something that merits coverage, you need to let us know; we can’t do our jobs without your help.
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Now, on to our winner: congratulations to Weil Gotshal. The firm’s Miami office took its summer associates to the NBA finals, in which the Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder.
We did post a correction to our original item: the game in question was not Game 5, the final game in the series, but an earlier game. Still, given the margin of victory — Weil ran away with 64 percent of the vote, more than the other four finalists combined — we suspect they would have won in any event.
There’s a reason LeBron’s nickname is King James. If you want to win the hearts and minds of your summer associates, or at least get them to accept your offers, give them an audience with royalty.
Earlier: ATL Summer Associate Event Contest: The Finalists
What Was The Best Biglaw Summer Associate Event Of 2012?
Summer Associate Offer Rates (2012): A Round-Up
Dear Summer Associates: Read The Fine Print Before Signing Up For the Quinn Emanuel Firm Hike
Summer Associate Stories: Summer Puts On A Show At The Apollo